By Kalee Oravec in The Mighty. I’ve been sick my whole life. I’ve never been able to keep up with my friends because of fatigue, and my pain interfered with all of my past hobbies. You might think I’m used to it by now, but I’m not. No, it still sucks. A lot. It sucks because I […]
By Julia Ries in Huffpost. This story is from HuffPost in the US – and part of Pain in America, a nine-part series looking at some of the underlying causes of the opioid addiction crisis and how we treat pain. Chronic pain comes in all different shapes and sizes — it burns, […]
By Mandy Appleyard in The Telegraph. Older people face a crisis of loneliness but even a quick chat can make a big, big difference. Here’s how JJ and Steve formed a connection through Age UK Bromley and Greenwich JJ, 80, is a retired construction worker from Eltham in London When my wife Madeleine died, […]
By Tiffany Early in The Mighty. My husband and I had a conversation about how others perceive my illness the other day. It wasn’t a confrontational conversation — it was more the random musings that happen when you’re waiting for dinner to come out of the oven. Joe mentioned that a mutual friend had once […]
By Jo Moss in A Journey Through The Fog. I wrote this post especially for ProHealth Inspirational Corner and it first appeared there on the 11th March 2019. “Your worth is not measured by your productivity” We live in a society that teaches us that unless we are pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone, […]
By Laura Abernethy in The Metro. Amy Norris, 23, from Southampton has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis) (CFS/ME). As part of our, You Don’t Look Sick series about invisible illnesses, Amy chatted to Metro.co.uk about living with both conditions and how most people still don’t understand chronic […]
By Jo Moss in A Journey Through The Fog. “Life is not a competition. Life is about helping and inspiring others so we can each reach our potential.” Does anyone else feel like they have to bite their tongue a lot? Do you hide a lot of what you are feeling […]
By Chloe Cooper in Voices. In early January 2019, I was doing what I do every year – reviewing my achievements of the past 12 months and setting my goals for the year to come. Like countless others who go through the same process, this felt like an essential step to becoming the […]
By Dominic Stanculescu in Health Rising. From Dominic I believe observations made in Intensive Care Units can further understanding of ME/CFS. Indeed, following a severe injury or infection some ICU patients fail to begin recovery for unknown reasons. This condition, termed “chronic” or “prolonged critical illness,” is characterized by neuroendocrine dysfunctions perpetuated by cytokines and oxidative/nitrosative stress. Regardless of the initial injury or […]
By Laura Abernethy in The Metro. ‘But you don’t look sick’ is something that people with chronic illnesses often hear. Others judge them based on their idea of what disability looks like. Our series speaks to a different person each week about their experiences of living with a long term condition and how […]
By Teresa Ledwith in The Mighty. The other day I was struggling, as many of us with chronic illness do, to explain myself to a friend. As usual, I had to give up. I can’t explain to her why it’s not easy for me to drive in and out of my nearest city (an […]
By Jo Moss in The Mighty. There is a saying that goes, “It’s amazing how chronic illness turns friends into strangers and strangers into friends.” Maintaining friendships can be difficult for those of us with chronic illness. It may be hard for friends to understand the challenges we face, and the limitations our ill-health places on […]
By Sally Doherty in The Mighty. I’ve had some of those awful days recently (they happen now and then, and more often than I’d like). You know the type: days when instead of your bed being somewhere that you go to rest, your bed becomes a prison that you can barely get out of. […]
By Laura Chamberlain in Laura’s Pen. Sometimes, you feel alone in your suffering and misunderstood. Sometimes, all you need is someone to say they believe you… I believe you. Those are three very powerful words. When I put together my post on what you SHOULD say to your chronically ill friend, I received […]
By Paige Wyant in The Mighty. One of the most common (and frustrating) symptoms those with chronic illness face is chronic fatigue: an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that can be debilitating, and is much different than “just being tired.” (It’s also different than chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, a separate illness with its own set of symptoms.) […]
By Lindsay Glenne. How do you know when to seek help? When you have a chronic illness, it’s really hard to differentiate between your usual pain, and something new. With an illness like fibromyalgia, it can sometimes be even harder. It effects every single part of your body and a flare can […]
By Adrienne Dellwo in Very Well Health. GABA and glutamate are neurotransmitters—chemical messengers in your brain. One is calming, one is stimulating, and they’re supposed to stay in balance with each other. So what happens if this balance is thrown off? Some research suggests an imbalance of these two substances may play a role […]
By Sarah Mariann Martland in The Mighty. This is a love letter to all those for whom showering is repeatedly a laborious exercise, physically, emotionally or both. To those who spend days putting it off because you know just how exhausting or painful it feels, right down to your bones, just to stand under the […]
By Asa Lovell in The Mighty. No one prepares you for the grief and feelings of inadequacy you get when you have chronic illnesses. They make such a huge impact on your life that they derail you, stop you from achieving the things you’re working for in the time you’d planned. You […]
By Shell Pettifer in The Mighty. “Chronic fatigue, my arse!” I have a confession to make. I have oftentimes throughout my life internally judged people for being overly dramatic. There, I’ve said it. I am a closet censure. I am guilty of internal eye rolls, doubtful compassion and quite frankly some completely uneducated […]
By Melanie Leong in The Mighty. Fairly recently, I had this weird experience where a person with a chronic illness threw the “but you look fine!” line on me. I am pretty certain I didn’t respond. In fact, I don’t really recall what happened afterwards because I was in shock. Isn’t it chronic illness code that we […]
By Jo Moss in A Journey Through The Fog. Having a chronic illness means everyday tasks can be challenging, exhausting and painful. But there are steps we can take to make life easier, to limit the stress caused and to conserve our energy for more enjoyable activities. Here are some practical solutions to […]
From A Chronic Voice. Chronic illness is a monster consumer of energy, leaving little to spare. Why waste it on unnecessary thoughts and unchangeable circumstances? So I ask myself, “what can I do to make things better? Is there something I’d like to create for myself today? How can I become a […]
By Chelsea Morris in The Mighty. Balance! How do we achieve it? I think for any human being balance is very difficult. But for those of us with chronic pain and disease it seems to be even harder. I wake up one day and feel actually pretty good. So I want to accomplish more than […]
By Lexie in The Mighty. I just made one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Many of you can relate to my story. I’ve seen countless doctors, integrative general practitioners, naturopaths, chiropractors, and specialists over the last few years. When they couldn’t explain my symptoms, they diagnosed me with chronic […]
By Sam in the My Medical Musings Blog. We all have moments in life when we hit a brick wall physically and perhaps mentally. It happens to the healthy and chronically ill alike. I remember in my “healthier” life, I’d get to the end of my working week and I’d be exhausted. […]
By Jamie Janinski in The Mighty. Four years ago, I went to my doctor complaining of excessive tiredness and having so much pain in my hands that I couldn’t squeeze my shampoo bottle while showering. Four years ago, I received a call telling me I needed to see a rheumatologist right away because my […]
By Ally Teixeira in The Mighty. Having a chronic illness isn’t easy. All of us chronically ill warriors may feel alone, but we all have a lot in common! Here are 12 things that happen when you’re chronically ill. You know you have a chronic illness when… 1. Doing your hair feels like some serious […]
From The Brainless Blogger. Okay, so stop telling people it could be worse. Yeah. It could be worse. It can always be worse. But it sure as hell could be better. We are aware it could be worse. We tell ourselves this sometimes to get through. Hell, sometimes worse happens and we are […]
By Amy Saunders in The Mighty. Living with an illness is hard. It means being ill. It means constant worry that you’re going to be ill. And it means your life is spent managing your illness to avoid being ill. You can have days when you feel on top of the world […]
By Natasha Lipman. It took me a long time to come to terms with deciding to become a wheelchair user, but when I knew that I was ready it was like a switch flicked in my brain. For the first time in years, I had a ‘real job’, and even the few […]
By Candida Reece in The Mighty. Having a chronic illness can mean life can be rough. It means going to the store with only one sock on because you didn’t want to go through the pain to find the other one; or maybe your shirt is inside out, or you have two different shoes, or clothes […]
By Christina Carrell in The Mighty. I was sitting in one of those canvas painting classes, waving a paintbrush back and forth in a very amateur attempt to recreate Monet’s “Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lillies” (spoiler: I’m not an artist and the end result bore little resemblance to the […]
As has been stated by Dr Sarah Jarvis and others, it’s possible that the Coronavirus could trigger M.E. in those people who get through the worst of the virus, and are seen to be in the recovery phase.
Please do not think that once you’re in that phase that you should just get back to your normal routine. As someone who has just passed his 14th anniversary with ME, the most important thing you can do is rest.
Resting should be from both physical and mental / cognitive activities.
Do not push beyond what your body is telling you. Your head might tell you something different, and you’ll be keen to make up for lost time, but please take advantage of this lockdown to recover properly. If you push beyond your limited energies now, and M.E. follows, it could change your life for years to come.
Be sensible and rest up. Take care.
If you wish to apply for a Blue Badge in the York area, or wish to know if you qualify, click on the link below:
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The first Monday of each month at 11 am - The York ME Community Coffee Club at Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York. There is parking available just around the corner at Nunnery Lane Car Park. Blue Badge holders can park for free.
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The third Wednesday of each month - at 2 pm - The York ME Community Coffee Club at The Novotel, York. Parking is free at the hotel.
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Weekly - Every Wed, 8 pm - 9 pm on Twitter, ME Awareness Hour using the #MEAwarenesshour hashtag.
The 15th Invest in ME Research International ME Conference 2020 - IIMEC15 - will take place on 30th May 2020 in London.
15 years of researchers, clinicians and patients interacting.
More details of the conference day will be announced in the coming months. It will be preceded by the 10th Invest in ME Research International Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium - BRMEC10 - a two day closed researchers' meeting with researchers from around the word, and the third year of a full day Thinking the Future - Young/ECR Conference for young and early career investigators.
Would you like to help your local community ?
By current research, there are around 800 people in the York area suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). This might include the work colleagues you haven't seen in some time, or your friends and family, maybe one of the lads who hasn't turned up for five-a-side for a while.
There's information at the top of this site to explain how it affects people and ruins lives. These are your neighbours; would you like to help ? To read the rest of this request, click on the link below:
Helpfulpeeps is a platform that allows people in any given area to ask for and offer help to one another. Although this is a nationwide facility, by adding your street name, the system automatically drops a pin on that location and you only see posts from a 20 mile radius. You have the option to narrow or widen this radius. I hope this is a useful facility for members of our Community.
After a pretty tough time, the guys riding as part of The Nomadic Knights group, made it to Everest Base Camp. I hope we can use this story to gain interest from media sources to help raise awareness for us all. It's the least the guys deserve for all their efforts.
19 May 2017.
“Very pleased to report that we reached Mt Qomolangma (Everest) Base Camp with the ME Awareness Flag at 1528hrs on Thursday 18th May. Three and a half hours after we had planned but time in Tibet can sometimes be very fluid. The base camp is located at 5200m, walking to the final destination was challenging in itself due to low oxygen levels.
Conditions at base camp were extremely windy (good for flag flying) with intermittent clouds with no particular destination in mind and the sun was not ideal for photos."
The aim is to share ideas in promoting various disability services, whilst continuing to raise Awareness of ME through both organisations. Through their #Think Access group and our own group, The York Access and Mobility Club, we will be looking at accessibility issues in the York & Harrogate areas, with the aim of advising on suggestions for change.
Disability Action Yorkshire aim to find solutions for disabled people whatever their aspirations. Whether you are a disabled person or support someone who is, they are here to support you. They provide a range of services, from training to accommodation and help with independence, among others. To find out more about Disability Action Yorkshire, click on the link below:
As we all know, especially those who need Wheelchairs or Mobility Scooters to get around, vehicles parking on pavements and blocking our way can have a major effect on our lives. It can mean that we are likely to put ourselves in danger by going onto busy roads because of inconsiderate parking. 
If you live in Fulford York, the details of your local PCSO are below, and he should be contacted in the first instance. If he is not on duty, you may be dealt with by whoever is on duty. If you live in other areas of York, ring 101 and ask for the PCSO covering your area. In all cases, you will be required to give as much information about the vehicle and location as possible. You will NOT need to stay by the vehicle till the police arrive.
Simon Hall
PCSO 5648
North NPT
NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE
Dial 101, press option 2 and ask for him by his full name or collar number
If using his collar number please state each number individually
Access Your Life is a site run by Felix and Lauren, with a little input from Fliss, the dog!
The site is full of great information that I feel will benefit many within The York ME Community and beyond.
To go to Access Your Life, click on the link below:
Carol Monaghan SNP spoke in Westminster Hall about the need for support and funds for ME Research. Many other MP's spoke passionately on the subject as it affects their constituents UK wide. Click on the link below to watch the full debate.
There has since been an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) formed to discuss the way ahead in helping MP's Constituents with ME. Contact your MP to ensure they're representing you !
Debbie North, our TOG wheelchair walk designer uses an off-road mobility scooter, also called an all terrain hopper to access the countryside and wants to inspire other wheelchair users to do the same through her wheel friendly walks.
Wheelchair friendly walks are a selection of walks that the TOG team have carefully selected for families using pushchairs, wheelchairs or bicycles.
The Jen Brea ME film 'Unrest', about her story and struggle with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is available on Amazon and iTunes and through the Unrest UK Store on DVD and Blu-Ray by clicking on this link: Unrest site
Please spread the word through your GP, MP, Company HR Teams and any other people of influence you may know. Thank you.
One of the major questions raised is the blending of ME with CFS. This chart on the Hummingbirds site illustrates the many differences between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
For confidential and independent advice for everyone on welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer rights and much more.
To go to the Government's Disability Benefits Advice Guide, click on the link below:
![old-telephone[1]](http://www.york-me-community.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/old-telephone1-300x240.jpg)
Helplines
COVID-19 Helpline for York - 01904 551550
or email: covid19help@york.gov.uk
NHS Health Enquiries (non emergency): 111
Samaritans: 01904 655888
Mind UK: 03001 233 393
Domestic Abuse: 03000 100 110
York Hospital: 01904 631313
Patient Transport Service: 01904 630080
Benefits Service: 01904 551556
Accessibility
Dial & Ride: 01904 551441
Shopmobility: 01904 679222
York Wheels: 01904 630080
Delivery Services
Virtual High St: www.yorkhighstreet.com
Alligator Wholefoods: 01904 654 525
Millie's Greengrocers: 07766 313 122
Food Circle: 07511 717 946
Miller Food Service: 01904 655 368
Poppy Caterers: 01347 878 628
Sheila's Greengrocers: 07470 308 824
M&K Butchers: 01904 639 300
Badger Hill Butchers: 01904 411 897
Burnholme Fisheries: 01904 421 360
Milk (Richard Cann): 07773 348 354
Services
York Electricians Ltd: 01904 373 045
Plumbtech: 07703 567 027
Yorkshire Plumbing: 08006 125 234
Local MP's
York Central Rachel Maskell: 01904 784847
York Outer Julian Sturdy: 01904 784847
Thirsk & Malton Kevin Hollinrake: 01347 666880
Councillor Keith Aspden: 01904 555 314
If you are a member of the elderly community or indeed somebody caring for an elderly person, this guide supplied by Covonia will give you important information on how to avoid getting sick, and how to care for coughs and colds should they happen.
The Changing Places Consortium launched its campaign in 2006 on behalf of the over 1/4 of a million people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people.
To use the toilet in safety and comfort, many people need to be able to access a Changing Places, which have more space and the right equipment, including a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist.
To find out more, click on the link below to go to the Changing Places website.
The York Access and Mobility Club is a Facebook group which is aimed at improving Accessibility in York for those trying to get around with a Disability. Feedback on bad, and good Accessibility of shops, streets, cafes, restaurants and any other facilities are welcomed.
It's also the place to discuss mobility aids from walking sticks to scooters. If this sounds like a group for you, you're most welcome !
Time For Unrest: Why Patients With ME Are Demanding Justice.
If you want the full story on ME and will read just one article about it this year, please make it this one,
Are you a member of a York based Sports or Fitness Club ? Looking for a local cause to run or do an activity for ? The York ME Community are looking to be 'adopted' by anyone willing to maybe run for us and help raise our profile. There are likely to be around 800-1,000 people of all ages in the York area with ME who would be so very grateful for your help.
A TRUE STORY BY JESSICA TAYLOR-BEARMAN
Book Description: From a darkened world, bound by four walls, a young woman called Jessica tells the tale of her battle against the M.E Monster. The severest form of a neuro immune disease called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis went to war with her at just 15 years old.
To order the book through Jessica's site, click on the link below:
This book is also now available at York Library
This is open to any business, club, pub, or organisation looking to have a bit of fun whilst supporting your local community. Our 4th season is well under way and going great guns ! Although the aim is spreading ME Awareness, as a bonus we have also raised over £920.00 for Invest in ME Research, so why not join us ?
To join in for next season, click on the tab at the top of the site for more information, or just to register your interest through the email address supplied.
To read the ME Research Summary 2019 by ME Action covering the last ten years, click on the link below:
Written Question to the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 May 2018 by Carol Monaghan SNP, answered by Caroline Dinenage Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
| Financial Year | £ |
| 2014-15 | 280,442 |
| 2015-16 | 295,626 |
| 2016-17 | 130,958 |
There is a great need for the training of those with a Duty of Care to those with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). For those in Healthcare, Education or Business with this Duty of Care, this E-Learning Course is the one for you.
To learn more, click on the link below:
AccessAble in York provides information on Shopmobility, Talking Signs, Dial & Ride, York Wheels and accessible Hotels, Restaurants, Public Toilets and a whole lot more in our city. To find out more before setting off for York, click on the link below:
The York Inset Scooter Club is based in York (UK) and has a membership of around 250.
They are a thriving, active club and look to support local charities when they can. They have an annual Mods and Rockers charity ride out, and for 2019 supported The York ME Community.
They headed off from The York Eye (Clifford’s Tower) on Sun 28 Apr on a run out to the coast, set off by the Mayor of York and the York Normandy Veterans.
All money raised will be used to raise the profile of ME in York through posters being produced and put up in local business premises, clubs, schools, GP Surgeries and venues.
Euan’s Guide is the disabled access review website used by disabled people to review, share and discover accessible places to visit. The charity was founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald, who is a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki. As Euan’s access requirements changed, both went in search of recommendations for accessible places to go, but a platform for this kind of information didn’t exist. Built as a friendly and honest alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls before visiting somewhere new, Euan’s Guide now has thousands of disabled access reviews and listings for places all over the UK and beyond.
To go to Euan's Website, click on the link below:
Help us raise money for The York ME Community to pass onto Invest in ME Research every time you shop online, and it doesn't cost you a penny !
By using the link below, when you shop online with a huge number of shops, they will pass a percentage of your purchase cost to our fund. THIS MONEY IS DONATED BY THE RETAILERS, NOT YOU !
I had a very productive meeting with Cllr Aspden and Cllr Runciman of City of York Council where they have stated they will back efforts to raise awareness of ME, understanding that much more is needed to increase understanding of this debilitating disorder, in York and across the UK. I will be aiming to keep up the pressure to ensure future support.
The motion put before Council with regard to support in raising ME Awareness in York was passed unanimously !
The City of York Council has followed through on their promise by lighting up the city walls and Clifford's Tower in blue over the ME Awareness Weeks since that meeting.
We had a brilliant day at York Explore Library raising ME Awareness. Lots of interest in what we're doing from local health groups, charities, the council and most heart warmingly, from those dealing with ME themselves who now know we're here for them.
If you'd like to hear more about ME, get in touch.
Mike Harley is a very special guy who's aim was to run a marathon in each EU country to raise awareness and funds for Invest in ME Research. Please visit his site to learn more, especially since our exit from the EU has meant a revision of his plans !
